Clinical responsibilities In accordance with the practice rota, as agreed, the post-holder will make him/her-self available to undertake a variety of duties including surgery consultations, telephone consultations and queries, visiting patients at home, checking and signing/authorising repeat prescriptions and dealing with queries, paperwork and correspondence in a timely fashion. Making professional, autonomous decisions in relation to presenting problems, whether self-referred or referred from other health care workers within the organisation Assessing the health care needs of patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems Screening patients for disease risk factors and early signs of illness In consultation with patients and in line with current practice disease management protocols, developing care plans for health Providing counselling and health education Referring to other care providers as appropriate Recording clear and contemporaneous consultation notes to agreed standards Compiling and issuing computer-generated acute and repeat prescriptions Prescribing in accordance with the practice prescribing formulary (or generically) whenever this is clinically appropriate The post-holder will be required to visit patients during surgery time in an emergency if clinically indicated. The post-holder will participate in the extended hours enhanced service. The post-holder will undertake fair share of home visiting sessions per week as allocated. Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes Organisational Quality and Patient services Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the GMC Follow all practice/PCN policies/guidelines, including prescribing, confidentiality, data protection, security, health and safety policies Demonstrate efficient and prompt delivery of administrative tasks Prioritise, organise and manage own workload and resources in a manner that maintains and promotes quality Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision Participate in quality improvement initiative, including Significant Event Analysis and the review of patient complaints Contribute to the ongoing development of the Practice/PCN local and national standards / targets e.g. Quality and Outcomes Framework, IIF Support the aims and objectives of all practice policies and procedures to ensure high quality care, service delivery and minimise risk. Communication Regular communication with the health professional and managerial and administrative staff of the Practice to ensure the smooth running of the practice Liaison with the members of the wide multi-disciplinary team, including ICB, hospitals, community services and other agencies (such as local authority, social services and voluntary agencies) in order to assure appropriate care is provided for the Practice population Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment To communicate difficult often unpleasant or sensitive messages to patients and families Participate in Practice / PCN Meetings and others as appropriate Teamwork Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting partners and other members of the practice team in a flexible manner Show commitment to maintain and demonstrate compliance with practice vision, values and behaviours Understand own role and scope within the organisation and identify how this may develop over time Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms are in place to meet patient need Participate in and support locality projects as agree with the practice/PCN management team Responsibility for Information Resources Review and process data using accurate SNOMED coding in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and auditing purposes Understand and follow the requirements of confidentiality, including the Data Protection and the Freedom of Information Act and to refer on any queries as appropriate Follow Practice policy regarding the use of email and computer tasks as the main non-verbal internal method of communication and use of the intranet and the internet as the main source of internal and external information Other responsibilities within the Organisation Contribute to the development and achievement of the PCN strategy and goals Participate in and promote the practice online services to patients (eg online medical viewer), along with involvement of practice online consultation system Awareness of and compliance with all relevant policies / guidelines Equality and Diversity: Act in a way that recognise the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation. Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers visitors and colleagues. They must be treated equally, irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation religion etc Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights Be aware of the statutory procedure, local guidance and referral criteria regarding the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Follow the guidance and policies and take action in an appropriate manner. Confidentiality: In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data. Security, Health & Safety: The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, security and safety as defined in each Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Reporting potential risks identified. Personal / Professional Development: In addition to maintaining continued education through attendance at any courses and/or study days necessary the post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work The following information is indicative of current arrangements, but these are subject to change. The continuing development of the PCN will influence ongoing changes in work patterns, and some flexibility is necessary